The 4th 3R International Scientific Conference on Material Cycles and Waste Management (3RINCs), 8-10 March 2017, New Delhi, India, was co-organized the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of India; CSIR-Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, India; Japan Society of Material Cycles and Waste Management; International Society of Waste Management, Air and Water; Korean Society of Waste Management; Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-New Delhi, India; Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN). UNCRD and IPLA joined the 4th 3RINCs as a supporting partners. More than 200 participants comprising academicians, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, government organizations and municipalities in areas of waste management took part in the Conference.

UNCRD and IGES organized a special session on Status of 3Rs in Asia-Pacific at 4th 3RINCs. The Special Session was officially opened by Japanese Vice Minister of Environment, Mr. Shigemoto Kajihara. The objective of the Special Session was to discuss the status of 3R policy implementation, including resource efficiency related scientific research and developments, in Asia-Pacific region. It also aimed to share new information on policies for 3R and waste management in Malaysia and India, among others, in order to strengthen the on-going assessment on the State of the 3Rs in Asia and the Pacific Report. As per the findings from the last seven Regional 3R Forums, while some countries have made progress in advancing institutions and governance mechanisms for the implementation of 3R policies and programmes, a conventional style of governance prevails. While the responsibility for the 3Rs often resides within environmental agencies, the responsibility and commitment of other government agencies is not always at its full potential.